Wow. That's going to bite Sony in the ass. On the other hand it opens up some really cool possibilities, mainly home-brew software, which definitely piques my interest.

cough:emulators:cough

..which falls under home-brew software.

Can't wait to see what emulators come out to the PSP...Zelda, mario....SNES games

Hot damn the news keeps getting better and better

I really want to see more info on the GTA and FF games that are going to be released. I was reading the FFVII spinoff will be focused on Vincent

Very true. I just hope these rumors turn out to be true as well. That will make me buy one.

why are games $49.99?? that is the same as regular consoles. that is ludicrous and why can't you pre-order online anywhere?

First off $49.99 is just rumor...

Not sure why you can't pre-order this online...but all the video game stores B&M you can pre-order.

Well, if these portable games have the same production value and depth as console games, why shouldn't they cost as much as console games?

It has already been mentioned numerous times that Ridge Racers could have just as easily been console game. I agree with that. The game is deep and expansive and represents high quality in production. I wouldn't mind paying $50 for PSP games if they all were of this quality.

Of course, I paid $60 each for my two games - worth every penny.

I wouldn't pay $50 for a portable game for three reasons.

1. I rarely am willing to pay that for a console game.
2. I play my consoles more than my portables.
3. Break from tradition, as portable games have usually been around $30.

I don't care about production values if that just means fancy 3D graphics. I've had more fun with my GBA than all 3 of my consoles combined this generation. I play it less as there's fewer games that interest me on it (as it's one console vs. 3 other ones) plus I feel like I should take advantage of my HT setup. But nothing on the consoles has came close in terms of fun for me compared to the castlevanias, 2D metroids etc. on the GBA. And none of those games cost me $50 to buy at launch.

There is no basis that the games will be $50 when they are released here. Nothing even hints that it may be the case. Just because Gamestop and EB has listed games to be $49.99 means nothing. Nintendo DS games were listed to be that much and they are now $30 to $40. GBA games started $30 to $40 and now the norm is $20 to $30. Nintendo DS games are 4900 yen in Japan which is about $50 yet they are $30 to $50 here. GBA games are 4000 to 5000 yen which is $40 to $50 yet they are $20 to $30 here. So just because games are 3900 to 4900 yen in Japan for the PSP does not mean they will be $39 to $49 here. Nothing even comes close to indicating that at this point in time.

On the other hand, like someone else pointed out Ridge Racers could very well be a console game because of its production values. Production values don't mean just graphic flare. It's about game depth, game length, game longevity, game variation, game modes, and so forth. Ridge Racers is a very full game in all areas and I couldn't expect it to be any better on a console. In fact, it takes roughly 15 hours of gameplay just to complete everything and that's assuming you beat all the tracks on your first try. It has the production values and polish that a console game does in the palm of your hands so it's understandable how one can think that it would be worth every penny at $50 because its offering as much entertainment value that a console game would.

Josh: I find it funny that somehow you play consoles more than your portables, yet not very much later, you state you enjoy your GBA more than your consoles.....

What's funny is how $10 will break some people. Hell I spend more money on coffee in a day.

It's only $10...i'm sure you all waste more than that with other things

....In other news...

Tales of Eternia is coming to the PSP in March

I explained that in the post. I have 3 consoles. Thus there are inherently more games thast interest me among them than on the GBA. I've enjoyed GBA games more than console games this generation, unfortunately there's not enough of the quality games on it for it to get more play time than the GC, X-box and PS2.

Or in other words, if I was going to make a top 20 list, there would be more console games on it, but most of the top 5/10 would be GBA games. Like them more, but less of them.

He sucks at that Ridge Racer game

Guys, I'm opening this thread back up under these stipulations:

No more petty thread crapping
No more thread crapping
No thread crapping
No pissing contest behavior between the PSP and the DS

This rivalry is silly & pointless. Intelligent comments are welcome however.

To be fair, the PSP is also a break from tradition. Traditionally, console units have used the previous generations technology. The Game Gear was 8bit while the Genesis was 16bit. The GBA-SP is much like a SNES while the DS is compared to a N64. The PSP is a change from that. The PSP uses current generation technology. We don't have to wait for the PS3 to get PS2 quality games in portable form - we have them now.

Its a lot different when you are porting Super Mario 3 to GBA-SP and charging $30, rather than developing a completely new game using current technology. Hell, I would love SM3 on PSP (which is probably why I paid $30 to play it on my GBA-SP), but I would not expect to pay $30 for GT4 portable. I would expect to pay $50 - the same as the console version which it shares many qualities with.

To be fair, puzzle games like Lumines are priced lower than games like Ridge Racers. About $10 I believe. But hey, if you don't want to pay over $30 for a videogame, that is your priority.

Yeah, certain games are priced less, and the 'expensive ones' arent expensive at all to begin with. Lumines is about $30, Kollon about $20, and the rest about $35 -- its the import sites which are why you're seeing these $59.99 prices. Gamestops' $50 prices are placeholders much like their $50 Nintendo DS Prices (its much easier to LOWER a price to people who have ordered, than it is to say "You know those $30 games you ordered?..well, they're $50 now". I wouldnt expect anything to go above $40, and that would be for the high profile games. Others I'd expect for $30 for a typical game, $20 for bargain games (Kollon, Namco Museum, etc..)

I've never understood the thinking that this should this much and that should be that much.

Ever since Nintendo's monopoly days have passed, video games react as quickly as anything to market forces. I have no objection to Sony, Nintendo, or anybody setting an initial price for any product at $50 or more. If consumers don't feel it's worth it, it will very quickly find a more realistic price point.

Good points Josh. I can somewhat see justifying the games being more since they're closer to this generation in graphical quality etc. I justify it as I wouldn't play them that much. The GBA games get a lot of play from me as there's few 2D games on the consoles, so I have to play those games on a portable, even when at home. I don't have the same incentive for the PSP games, because as you said their very similar to what's on the consoles so I'd just rather pop a game in my PS2, X-box or GC than sit and play a similar game on a small screen on a portable.

Also, I didn't buy SMB3. I saw no point in paying $30 for it. The release made me itch to play it, so I spend $10 or so on ebay and got Mario All Stars for the SNES.

I have a limited amount of money (and a declining interest in gaming lately) so I'm picky about what I spend money. So I take my priority and rarely spend even $30 on a console game. What's the point when 95% of games will be $19.99 within a year, and probably around 60% within six months?


But, to get back on topic, I agree, I don't think Sony's dumb enough to try to sell portable games at $50, especially when a lot of PS2 games are launching at $39.99 lately.

I found some interesting information at a different forum regarding the PSP. This thread has a few large pics of the PSP and the games....Well worth a look

http://www.neowin.net/forum/lofivers...p/t261293.html

Another PSP carrying case...

http://psp.ign.com/articles/581/581882p1.html





It does like nice for travel...not sure if you would lug this around when you're doing local errands.

Pretty sweet case. One of the nicer looking ones I've seen for a portable gaming system.

Got a few more games. Quick impressions:

Minna No Golf: Too hard!! About 10 hours and I've completed 2 challenges on EASY mode (A Challenge shouldnt be more than 5-10 minutes), Its quite a bit of fun though!

Darkstalkers: I dont really like 2d fighters besides guilty gear, but I like this more than street fighter. Only problems are the load times (10 seconds between fights) and they just keep saying the same phrase over and over.

Puyo Puyo Fever: A good puzzle game, but I prefer lumines. This one seemed more suited for a value title (And considering it costs MOE than Lumines, its a little strange) - I just started it though, so I have a feeling it will get better as I get further.

Metal Gear Acid: A lot of fun, even for a card game
Too much dialog (That I cant understand), but it really is a lot of fun and besides the storyline, is import-friendly.

PPF is on my 'To Buy List'

I was real surprised with that one - Its completely in english

Apparently it goes by your system settings - if its set to english, all menus, text, and even dialog is in english (You can change this to japanese in the menus)